Top 5 Benefits of Conducting POSH Training

When we talk about POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace), there are various reactions we get to hear. Many employers do not know about the law and legal responsibilities. POSH training sessions are also perceived as is only for women. Men are scared of POSH and believe it is against them.

Many employers do not want to conduct this training. Employers think that POSH activities educate employees and unnecessary cases start coming, so unawareness is good. Some also say that they don't have women employees; hence this act is not for them.

However, after conducting sessions at various places across the industry and all levels, we see there are many benefits of conducting POSH training sessions.?

The top 5 benefits of conducting POSH training are as follows:

Helps companies comply with legal responsibilities

POSH training ensures prevention, prohibition and protection from sexual harassment in the workplace. POSH training has been compulsory in India since 2013, when the ACT was passed. According to the ACT, any company/organization with more than ten employees should have mandatory POSH training for all their employees and employers.

It has been made mandatory so that every employee and employer know what comes under workplace sexual harassment, the process of filing the complaint against it, the procedure of redressal of the issue and the consequences and penalties for non-compliance.

It helps to create a safe work environment.

Today, many employees, especially women, do not feel secure. If the POSH policy is in place and employers conduct POSH training and discuss the challenges of sexual harassment, it makes employees feel safe. Sometimes men employees are also scared of someone filing a malicious complaint, and the training gives them a clear understanding of the consequences of filing a false complaint.?

A clear understanding of sexual harassment?

POSH training creates awareness among staff. Training ensures a safe working environment for women. Employees clearly understand the kind of behaviour that falls under sexual harassment, giving them clarity. All employees are equally aware of and can help report sexual harassment when they are all trained at the same time. The POSH training also educates participants on all aspects of sexual harassment, what can be subject to fraudulent complaints, and how to enforce the law effectively and prevent abuse.

Reduce incidents and improve productivity

Awareness comes with responsibility. Through POSH awareness training, staff gain more knowledge, ensure compliance with laws, and have fewer incidents occur. Moreover, when all employees are treated equally, it creates an environment to thrive in the workplace. Employees feel comfortable interacting, working together, and communicating as they feel safe. People also have a high level of job satisfaction that helps retain employees. All of this together includes providing high productivity in the workplace.

Redressal mechanism?

Training helps the employees understand the Internal Committee's functioning (IC). The training educates employees on how to proceed if sexual harassment occurs at the workplace. The POSH awareness session also educates them on the importance of confidentiality. As the POSH act mentions the timeline of complaints, employees know when to file complaints and when to expect the resolution.?

Conclusion

It is always best to conduct POSH training sessions to create a safe work environment. Conducting POSH awareness sessions is essential because it is a legal requirement to comply with the law. POSH Awareness Training also ensures that employees and managers create a safer and better working environment.

????????????:?Dr. Aparna Sethi?is the founder of?Protouch Corporate Training?and authored a book 'Where to Draw the line' (POSH based book. She conducts insightful corporate training sessions /webinars/ guest sessions on various topics, including the few POSH, Women Leadership, Diversity, and Inclusion in the workplace. You can reach her on 8800005599.